Electric cut-out.



B. M. WALPOLE.

ELECTRIC OUT-OUT.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.18,1909.

977,058. Patented Nov. 29, 1910.

Fig.1. 1

WITNESS s IIVI/ENTOR Benjamz' 11M waZ oZ-L Ff. Q9 Q W I Fjg la BY ATTORNEY BENJAMINM. W'AIJFOIJZI, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

numerals cur-our.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 29', 1910.

Application filed March 18, 1909. Serial No. 484,083.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, BEN AMIN M. WAL- rona, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Cut-@uts, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to improvements in electric fuses or cut-outs, and has for its object to provide an auxiliary or renewing ine ner fuse cartrid e to be made up-with the fuse link and the filling, the same being adapted to be quickly and readily inserted into the outer shell or housing of the ordinary fuse to renew the same by replacing the parts that have been destroyed by blow- In "carrying out my invention I employ an inner tube of comparatively thin insulating material into which is inserted a plain flat thin fuse link formed in one continuous piece, adapted to pass through the tube and extend beyond either end thereof. The tube is then filled with suitable'packing material. Expansion heads are held within the tube near either end thereof to retain the filling and at the same time to be pressed, outward by the pressure generated b an explosion to allow the gases to expan and relieve the pressure to prevent the possibility of a serious rupture.

Another feature of my improved cut-out is that the outer shell is provided with ends or caps that are readily removable, the ends of said caps being provided with a pair of spring contact plates between which the end of the fuse link is passed, said plates bein adapted to firmly support the fuse lin against injur'v and at the same time provide a broad contacting surface through which to pass the current. These plates may then be made in any suitable form to be secured to the binding posts in the fuse block.

An indicating fusee may be attached to the fuse link proper and extend up through the side of the inner shell over which end may be secured a colored paper so as to show the charred surface when the fusee is destroyed.

In order to be able to observe the condition of this sticker and yet close the aperture absolutely against a possible discharge of fire or smoke therethrough, l have proover this indicating hole and readily removed when desired to observe thecondition of the indicating sticker.

Another feature of constructing my cartridge fuse with an inner or renewable tube 18 that the strength of the cartridge is thus greatly increased, an air space between the two being also provided whereby it would be impossible for heat of any degree, which might be caused by a continued etc, from passing through the barrier formedby these two walls and the air space.

In practice a sticker or label is pasted on the outer shell of the fuse which is supposed to indicate the capacity of the fuse link originally contained therein. If this original link should be blown and a new one inserted, the capacity of the latter might be altogether different, and therefore the indication on the outside would be wrong and misleading. Then again, this label might be lost or inadvertently removed, thus destroying the rating of the fuse and rendering it impossible to again obtain this without testing and thus destroying the same. This see rious difiiculty is entirely obviated by my improved construction which fuse links as soon as made are each stamped with its proper rating, and a hole is formed in the retaining plates through which the figures may be observed, thereby effectually removin any possibility of a mistake bein made, eit er in assembling or at any time ater the fuse is constructed.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved cut-out fuse, illustrating the eneral construction of the same and'the a justable ring for covering the aperture through which the blowing indication may observed. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section of my improved view showin the inner or auxiliary cartridge inpos1tion in its outer shell or housing. Fig. 8 illustrates the auxlllary inner fuse cartridge in section with the fuse link in place therein. Fig. 4 shows a portion of one end of the cut-out in section and illustrates one form of the contact spring clamps for enga ing and supporting the projecting ends of t e fuse link. Fig. 5 is an end view of the same. Fig. 6 shows the upper spring contact plate. Fig. 7 shows the lower spring contact late. Fig. 8 shows the clampin collar a apted to be assed over both 0 these plates to bring t em down in contact with the fuse link and retain them firmly in that position. Fig. 9 illustrates a modification wherein the end of the fuse link is clamped and retained inside. of the end cap to the outer casing. Fig. 10 illustrates the style of fuse block clamp adapted to engage the caps on the ends ofthe cartridges, which would require a construction of cartridge similar to that illustrated in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 shows the inner spring contacts for the fuse link also the locking means for the outer cap, all of which are operated by means in the outer cap when the same is forced into position. Flg. 12 represents the outer cap and the means therein for operating the contact and locking means illustrated in Fig. 11.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the outer shell or housing which is made comparatively large and heavy, the same as used in the larger sized cut-outs, which by my construction may be employed permanently and renewed by means of the auxiliary inner fuse cartridge whenever its contents have been destroyed by blowing. Each end of this housing is supplied with a removable cap 2 and 3, each of which ma be retained in osition by rivets, if desired, but are pre erably retained by a spring operated latch 4.

A pair of spring clamping plates 5 and 6 extend outward from the outer face of the end caps to which they are each preferably secured by means of solder and rivets. These plates are adapted to converge slightly toward their ends so as to clamp, support and firmly hold the slender and delicate fuse link forming a broad'contacting surface through which the current may pass. These ends may then be secured to the fuse block 7 by the binding screws 8-8 or other suitable means.

As shown at the right of Figs. 1 and 2, an aperture is formed in one or both of the clamping contact plates 5, 6 to permit inspection of a numeral on the fuse link 22, (see Fig. 3) to indicate the rating or current capacity of said link. While the contact plates 5 and 6 are adapted to automatically grip and retain the ends of the fuse link, another style of these plates is illustrated in Fig. 4, where the upper clamp plate 9 is shown as being connected at 10 to the inner side of the cap 11, the lower plate 12 extending back within the cap for a short distance and being bent up at 12 forming a binding rib, and then turned back upon itself 13 and finally down at right angles thereto at 14, which downward projectln portion is riveted at 15 to the inside of sa1 I cap 11. In order to insure the bmdmg of these two plates a ainst the opposite faces of the fuse link a c amping collar 16, having an elongated aperture 17 therethrough, see Fig. 8, 1s adapted to slide over these plates and draw the same together a ainst the face of the fuse link, said collar being retained in position by a slight bulge or outward projection on the lower spring plate at 18, which prevents the collar from sliding off. These plates and the fuse link contained between them may be made in the form of a hook, as shown in Fig. l, or theymay be made plain as shown in Fig. 5 and adapted to be retained between the fingers of a spring clip 19. The inner fuse cartridge tube 20 is constructed of comparatively thin insulating material and may be provided with an outwardly pressed raised annular rib 21 near each end thereof. These cartridges when filled and made up are adaptedto be inserted readily into the outer housing thereby completely renewing or restoring to usefulness the outer or more expensive part of the cut-out when its original filling and fuse link have been destroyed by blowing. In making up these auxiliary cartridges a broad faced thin fuse link 22 is employed reduced at its middle portion 23. The same being long enough so that its outer ends will project beyond the ends of its retaining tube, said ends being made in any form desired to fit the different cut-outs in which they may be subsequently used. This fuse link is placed in the tube and packed around with a suitable filling, said fuse and the filling both being retained in position by means 0 cup-shaped heads 24, which are held in position within the tube by friction, their peripheries engaging the recessed portion of the annular rib 21, so that they may be pressed outward by a gas pressure generated by the rupture of the fuse, to allow the gases to expand and relieve the pressure and prevent a possible splitting of the tube.

An indicating fusee 25 may be connected to the fuse link at 26 and extend up through holes in the wall of this inner tube. A sticker may be pasted over the outer surface of said fusee, if desired, which when charred will indicatethat the fusee has blown and a hole 26 may be made in the outer housing through which the condition of the sticker, consequently that of the fusee ma be observed. In order to effectually c ose this hole against the possibility of fire blowing out therethrough, a ring 27 is provided which is adapted to slide along the barrel of the housing 1 and be drawn over said hole 26 where it is held tightly by friction to effectually close this opening.

In some cases where it is desired to hold the cut-out by its end caps in the manner illustrated in Fig. 10, a cap 28 is secured Within the end of the outer housing, see Fig. 11, to which is connected a spring contact 29 and also spring locking pins'30. Both of these contact springs 29 and the lock pins 30 are adapted to be operated by means of a pair of U-shaped fingers 81-31 fixed on the inner side of the outer cap 32, see Fig. 12, whereby when said cap is positioned over the outer end of the housing these fingers will engage the spring contacts and locking members and force them into the position illustrated in Fig. 9. This cap may then be readily, removed and the contacts released by a quick hard pull of the hand. In this construction the end of the fuse link may extend through a slot in the cap and be turned up as at 33, on which end may be stamped the number indicating the rating of the fuse as indicated in Fig. 10.

The construction of an auxiliary inner fuse cartridge adapted to be quickly and easily applied without the use of tools to the outer housing of an ordinary fuse is found tobe very useful, and practical, as it permits of the refilling, renewing and the restoring of the outer shell of the cut-out to usefulness without the necessity of shipping the same back to the factory for this purpose, it being only necessary by the use of my improved device to remove the end of the outer housing, dump out the filling and slip one of the inner cartridges into position in said casing, and the same. is again ready to perform its usual function.

My arrangement of. stamping or marking the capacity on the fuse link provides effective means for eliminating error in the rating of the fuse.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: 1

1. In an electric cut-out, the combination of a tube or casing of insulating material having ends of conducting material, spring ,contact plates on said ends, a fuse link strip extending through said casing and beyond the ends thereof, the projecting ends of said fuse strip adapted to pass between said contact plates, fuse block members for retaining the fuse in its operative position, and

means independent of said fuse-block mem-' bers for binding said plates to said fuse link.

2. In an electric cut-out, the combination of an outer housing comprising a tube of insulating material having ends of conducting material,spring contact plates on said ends, a renewing cartridge adapted to be inserted ing the same to firmly grip both sides of said fuse link, said locking member being also adapted to be readily removed therefrom.

3. In an electric cut-out, the combination of inner and outer tubes of substantially equal length, the outer tube being of insulating material having ends of conducting material, means on said ends. for connecting with the fuse block contacts, the inner tube forming the shell of a renewing cartridge, a fuse link and a fillin movable heads in said inner tube, said heads supporting the link and holding the filling between them and adapted to yield to an excess pressure generated within said inner tube, and electrical connections between the cartridge and the conducting ends of the outer tube.

4:. In an electric cut-out, the combination of inner and outer tubes of substantially equal length, the outer tube being of insulating material having ends of conducting material, spring contact plates on said ends adapted to connect with the fuse block contacts, the inner tube forming the shell of'a strip or ribbon of fusible material of sub-' stantially uniform thickness, the width of said strip being reduced at its middle portion to provide a definite blowing point, said fuse extending through the tube and beyond the ends thereof, a filling in said tube around said fuse, vheads within said tube held in position by frictional contact with saidtube and adapted to yield and be pressed outward by an excess pressure enerated within the tube, contactplates on t e said caps for supporting the projecting ends of said fuse link, and a collar provided with an aperture for receiving said plates, said collar when positioned bein adapted to draw said plates together to tig tly grip both sides of said fuse link.

6. An electric cut-out comprising an outer in said inner tube,-

tube of insulating material having end caps ring slidably mounted on said tube for closof conducting material, an inner tube, a fuse ing said aperture. 10 link in said latter tube and a filling around In testimony whereof I afiix my signature said link, an indicating fusee extending in presence of two witnesses.

from said fuse link through the inner cas- BENJAMIN M. WALPOLE.

ing, said outer casin being provided with Witnesses:

an aperture throng which to ascertain HOWARD E. BARLow,

whether or not the fusee has blown, and a E. I. OGDEN. 

